Kinetics and mechanism of epoxidation of olefins by a novel ruthenium(IV)-oxo complex

[Ru^IV(tpy)(pic)(O)]⁺ (1) was synthesized by chemical oxidation of the corresponding aqua-complex [Ru^II(tpy)(pic)(H₂O)]⁺ (2) and characterized by analytical, spectroscopic (UV-vis and IR) and magnetic moment studies. Complex 1 effected epoxidation of styrene and substituted styrenes, cis- and trans-stilbenes and cyclohexene, in CH₃CN at room temperature. Epoxides were found to be the major product for styrenes and stilbenes, whereas, the oxidation of cyclohexene yielded allylic oxidation product. Detailed kinetic studies were performed under pseudo-first order conditions of excess alkene concentrations. A working mechanism in agreement with the rate and activation parameters is presented, and the results are discussed in reference to the data reported for the alkene oxidation by relevant Ru^IVO system in CH₃CN.     

Reactions of the fac-[Re(CO)3] and [ReO] moieties with substituted benzothiazoles

The reaction of 2-(2-aminophenyl)benzothiazole (Habt) with [Re(CO)₅Br] led to the isolation of the rhenium(I) complex fac-[Re(Habt)(CO)₃Br] (1). With trans-[ReOCl₃(PPh₃)₂], the ligand Habt decomposed to form the oxofree rhenium(V) complex [Re(itp)₂Cl(PPh₃)] (2) (itp = 2-amidophenylthiolate). From the reaction of trans-[ReOBr₃(PPh₃)₂] with 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)benzothiazole (Hhpd) the complex [Re^VOBr₂(hpd)(PPh₃)] (3) was obtained. Complexes 1-3 are stable and lipophilic. ¹H NMR and infrared assignments, as well as the X-ray crystal structures, of the complexes are reported.     

ortho-Carom-N bond fusion in aniline associated with electrophilic chlorination reactions at ruthenium(III) coordinated acetylacetonates

In an unusual reaction of [Ru^III(acac)₂(CH₃CN)₂](ClO₄) ([1], acac = acetylacetonate) and aniline (Ph-NH₂), resulted in the formation of ortho-semidine due to dimerisation of aniline via oxidative ortho-C_arom-N bond formation reaction. This oxidation reaction is associated with stepwise chlorination of coordinated acac ligands at the γ-carbon atom resulting in the formation of [Ru^III(acac)₂L⁻] [2a], [Ru^III(Cl-acac)(acac)L⁻] [2b], [Ru^III(acac)(Cl-acac)L⁻] [2c] and [Ru^III(Cl-acac)₂L⁻] [2d] (L⁻ = N-phenyl-ortho-semiquinonediimine) complexes, respectively. These have been characterized by ¹H NMR, UV-Vis-NIR, ESI-MS and cyclic voltammetry studies. Single crystal X-ray structures of 2c and 2d are reported. Crystallographic structural bond parameters of 2c and 2d revealed bond length equalization of C-C, C-O and M-O bonds. It has been shown that perchlorate () counter anion, present in the starting ruthenium complex, acts as the oxidizing agent in bringing about oxidation of Ph-NH₂ to ortho-semidine. The chloronium ions, produced in situ, chlorinate the coordinated acac ligands at the γ-carbon atom. Such electrophilic substitution of coordinated acac ligands indicates that the Ru-acac metallacycles in the reference compounds are aromatic. The complexes showed an intense and featureless band centered near 520 nm, and a structured band near 275 nm. These displayed one reversible cathodic response in the range, −1.1 to −0.8 V and one reversible anodic response between 0.4 and 0.6 V versus the Saturated Calomel reference Electrode, SCE. The response at the anodic potential is due to oxidation of the coordinated ligand L, while the reversible response at cathodic potential is due to reduction of the metal center.     

Oxo-transfer catalysis from t-BuOOH with C-H bond insertion using tridentate Schiff-base-chelate complexes of ruthenium(III)

Mixed-chelate complexes of ruthenium have been synthesized using tridentate Schiff-base ligands (TDLs) derived by condensation of aldehydes (salicyldehyde, 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde) with 2-aminobenzoic acid, and bidentate ligands (2,2^′-bipyridine or picolinic acid). [Ru^III(cpsd)(bipy)(H₂O)]⁺ (1), [Ru^III(cpsd)(pic)(H₂O)] (2), [Ru^III(cppc)(bipy)(H₂O)]²⁺ (3) and [Ru^III(cppc)(pic)(H₂O)]⁺ (4) complexes (where, cpsd²⁻=(N-(2-carboxyphenyl)salicylaldiminato); cppc⁻=N-2-carboxyphenylpyridine-2-carboxaldiminato; bipy=2,2^′-bipyridine and pic⁻=picolinate) were characterized by analytical, spectral (IR and UV-Vis), conductance, magnetic moment and electrochemical studies. Catalysis of hydrocarbon oxidations for cyclohexene, cyclohexane, cyclohexanol, toluene, benzyl alcohol, and tetrahydrofuran have been studied using various O-atom transfer agents (t-BuOOH, H₂O₂, NaOCl, KHSO₅ and pyridinium-N-oxide). The influence of product yield as a function of solvent was evaluated for CH₂Cl₂, CH₃CN, and 1,4-dioxane. Coordinating solvents suppress the reactivity by inhibiting coordination of t-BuOOH, and compete for the Ru^VO group through their own intrinsic C-H reactivity. The main pathway transfers the oxo group from the [RuO(TDL)(XY)] intermediate, TDL=cpsd²⁻ and cppc²⁻; XY=bipy or pic⁻, with insertion of the oxo group into a C-H bond of all substrates tested (rather than olefin epoxidation for cyclohexene). A mechanism involving intermediacy of a high valent Ru(V)-oxo species is proposed for the catalytic oxidation processes.     

Chemistry of selenium and tellurium with tetrachelate and macrocyclic ligands

Treatment of meso(tetra-p-tolyl)porphryin, H₂(TTP), or Li₂(TTP) with OSeCl₂ or OSe(NMe₂)₂ in toluene or THF resulted in the formation of the diprotonated porphyrin, [H₄(TTP)]Cl₂ and indicated the reluctance of selenium to insert into the porphyrin core. The molecular structure of [H₄(TTP)]Cl₂ was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and exhibited the typical saddle-shape distortion of diprotonated porphyrins. The molecular structure of (p-MeO-Ph)₂Te(salen) was reexamined by X-ray diffraction. The geometry of the Te(IV) center is strongly influenced by a stereochemically active lone pair and is best described as having an AX₄E disphenoid structure in which the salen oxygen atoms occupy axial positions and the two anisyl ligands reside in equatorial sites. Distances between Te and the salen nitrogen atoms are 2.852(3) and 2.984(3) Å and are largely nonbonding.     

Synthesis and characterization of three geometric isomers of ruthenium(2,2-bipyridyl)(salicylaldehyde)2

A new synthesis of Ru^II(bpy)(sal)₂ (1) (bpy=2,2^′-bipyridyl, sal=salicylaldehyde) has been developed and the separation and characterization of all three geometric isomers have been completed. The isomers are denoted 1a (phenolic oxygens trans), 1b, (aldehyde oxygens trans), and 1c (aldehyde oxygen trans to phenolic oxygen). All three isomers have been characterized by ¹H NMR, high resolution FAB-MS, UV-Vis, and cyclic voltammetry. Additionally, 1a has been characterized by solid-state UV-Vis and a single-crystal X-ray structural study. The solid-state packing of the Ru^II(bpy)(sal)₂ molecules in the structure of 1a displays intermolecular π-π interactions between bpy ligands of adjacent molecules. The bpy interactions form infinite π-stacks with alternating short stacking distances of 3.437 and 3.402 Å.     

Structure and reactivity of [Ru(2,3-Medpp)2Cl2]

The structure and reactivity of the complex [Ru(2,3-Medpp)₂Cl₂](PF₆)₂ (2,3-Medpp⁺=2-[2-(1-methylpyridiniumyl)]-3-(2-pyridyl)pyrazine) was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), ¹H NMR, redox, and UV-Vis absorption measurements. X-ray analysis shows that crystals obtained from an acetonitrile-toluene solution contain the trans-Cl₂, trans-pyrazine isomeric form, while ¹H NMR and redox measurements on the main product of the synthetic workup indicate the presence of the trans-Cl₂, cis-pyrazine isomer. In the dark at 70 °C, the complex [Ru(2,3-Medpp)₂Cl₂]²⁺ reacts slowly in acetonitrile isomerizing to the cis-[Ru(2,3-Medpp)₂(CH₃CN)Cl]³⁺ species. Under ambient light in the presence of excess AgNO₃ the cis-[Ru(2,3-Medpp)₂(CH₃CN)₂]⁴⁺ species is obtained.     

Metal–drug synergy: new ruthenium(II) complexes of ketoconazole are highly active against Leishmania major and Trypanosoma cruzi and nontoxic to human or murine normal cells

In our ongoing search for new metal-based chemotherapeutic agents against leishmaniasis and Chagas disease, six new ruthenium–ketoconazole (KTZ) complexes have been synthesized and characterized, including two octahedral coordination complexes—cis,fac-[Ru^IICl₂(DMSO)₃(KTZ)] (1) and cis-[Ru^IICl₂(bipy)(DMSO)(KTZ)] (2) (where DMSO is dimethyl sulfoxide and bipy is 2,2′-bipyridine)—and four organometallic compounds—[Ru^II(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂(KTZ)] (3), [Ru^II(η⁶-p-cymene)(en)(KTZ)][BF₄]₂ (4), [Ru^II(η⁶-p-cymene)(bipy)(KTZ)][BF₄]₂ (5), and [Ru^II(η⁶-p-cymene)(acac)(KTZ)][BF₄] (6) (where en is ethylenediamine and acac is acetylacetonate); the crystal structure of 3 is described. The central hypothesis of our work is that combining a bioactive compound such as KTZ and a metal in a single molecule results in a synergy that can translate into improved activity and/or selectivity against parasites. In agreement with this hypothesis, complexation of KTZ with Ru^II in compounds 3–5 produces a marked enhancement of the activity toward promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes of Leishmania major, when compared with uncomplexed KTZ, or with similar ruthenium compounds not containing KTZ. Importantly, the selective toxicity of compounds 3–5 toward the leishmania parasites, in relation to human fibroblasts and osteoblasts or murine macrophages, is also superior to the selective toxicities of the individual constituents of the drug. When tested against Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes, some of the organometallic complexes displayed activity and selectivity comparable to those of free KTZ. A dual-target mechanism is suggested to account for the antiparasitic properties of these complexes.     

Photoactivation of trans diamine platinum complexes in aqueous solution and effect on reactivity towards nucleotides

We show that UVA irradiation (365 nm) of the Pt^IV complex trans,trans,trans-[Pt^IVCl₂(OH)₂(dimethylamine)(isopropylamine)] (1), induces reduction to Pt^II photoproducts. For the mixed amine Pt^II complex, trans-[Pt^IICl₂(isopropylamine)(methylamine)] (2), irradiation at 365 nm increases the rate and extent of hydrolysis, triggering the formation of diaqua species. Additionally, irradiation increases the extent of reaction of complex 2 with guanosine-5′-monophosphate and affords mainly the bis-adduct, while reactions with adenosine-5′-monophosphate and cytidine-5′-monophosphate give rise only to mono-nucleotide adducts. Density Functional Theory calculations have been used to obtain insights into the electronic structure of complexes 1 and 2, and their photophysical and photochemical properties. UVA-irradiation can contribute to enhanced cytotoxic effects of diamine platinum drugs with trans geometry.     

Biological effects of anionic meso-tetrakis (para-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrins modulated by the metal center. Studies in rat liver mitochondria

In this paper, we present a study about the influence of the porphyrin metal center and meso ligands on the biological effects of meso-tetrakis porphyrins. Different from the cationic meso-tetrakis 4-N-methyl pyridinium (Mn(III)TMPyP), the anionic Mn(III) meso-tetrakis (para-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin (Mn(III)TPPS4) exhibited no protector effect against Fe(citrate)-induced lipid oxidation. Mn(III)TPPS4 did not protect mitochondria against endogenous hydrogen peroxide and only delayed the swelling caused by tert-BuOOH and Ca²⁺. Fe(III)TPPS4 exacerbated the effect of the tert-BuOOH, and both porphyrins did not significantly affect Fe(II)citrate-induced swelling. Consistently, Fe(III)TPPS4 predominantly promotes the homolytic cleavage of peroxides and exhibits catalytic efficiency ten-fold higher than Mn(III)TPPS4. For Mn(III)TPPS4, the microenvironment of rat liver mitochondria favors the heterolytic cleavage of peroxides and increases the catalytic efficiency of the manganese porphyrin due to the availability of axial ligands for the metal center and reducing agents such as glutathione (GSH) and proteins necessary for Compound II (oxomanganese IV) recycling to the initial Mn(III) form. The use of thiol reducing agents for the recycling of Mn(III)TPPS4 leads to GSH depletion and protein oxidation and consequent damages in the organelle.     

Synthesis and characterization of two new triazolate-aliphatic dicarboxylate bridged Zn(II) coordination polymers based on 2D layer motifs with different crystal packing

Two new zinc(II)-triazole-aliphatic dicarboxylate coordination polymers, [Zn(trz)(Hsuc)]_n (1), [Zn₂(trz)₂(tar)]_n (2), have been hydrothermally synthesized by reaction of Zn salt, Htrz with H₂suc and H₂tar, respectively (Htrz = 1,2,4-triazole, H₂suc = succinic acid, H₂tar = tartaric acid).Their structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses and further characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, elemental analyses, IR spectra and TG analyses. Compound 1 displays a 2D layer structure containing {[Zn₄(trz)₄]⁴⁺}_n layers decorated by the suc ligand. Compound 2 is in a 3D structure formed by the interconnection of 2D {[Zn₄(trz)₄]⁴⁺}_n layers with tar ligand, resulting a 3,4-connected topological network. Due to the different coordination mode and conformation of aliphatic carboxylate ligand, the similar 2D {[Zn₄(trz)₄]⁴⁺}_n layers stack in the -AAA- fashion in 1, while the {[Zn₄(trz)₄]⁴⁺}_n layers hold together in the -ABAB- stacking sequence in 2. Additionally, the two compounds show strong fluorescence in the solid state at room temperature.     

Synthesis, crystal structures and, antibacterial and antiproliferative activities in vitro of palladium(II) complexes of triphenylphosphine and thioamides

Palladium(II) complexes with triphenylphosphine (PPh₃) and thioamides of the general formulae, [Pd(L)₂(PPh₃)₂]Cl₂ and [Pd(L)₂(PPh₃)₂] have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P) methods, and two of them (trans-[Pd(PPh₃)₂(Dmtu)₂]Cl₂·(H₂O)(CH₃OH)_0.5 (1) and trans-[Pd(PPh₃)₂(Mpy)₂] (2)) by X-ray crystallography; where L = thiourea (Tu), methylthiourea (Metu), N,N′-dimethylthiourea (Dmtu), tetramethylthiourea (Tmtu), 2-mercaptopyridine (Mpy), 2-mercaptopyrimidine (Mpm) and thionicotinamide (Tna). The spectral data of the complexes are consistent with the sulfur coordination of thioamides to palladium(II). The crystal structures of the complexes show that (1) has ionic character consisting of [Pd(PPh₃)₂(Dmtu)₂]⁺² cations and uncoordinated Cl⁻ ions, while (2) is a neutral complex with Mpy behaving as anionic thiolate ligand. The coordination environment around palladium in (2) is nearly regular square-planar, while in (1) the trans angles show significant distortions from 180°. The complexes were screened for antibacterial effects, brine shrimps lethality bioassay and antitumor activity. These complexes showed significant activities in most of the cases against the tested bacteria as compared to that of a standard drug. Their antitumor activity against prostate cancer cells (PC3) is comparable with doxorubicin, together with no cytotoxic effects in brine shrimps lethality bioassay study.     

Synthesis, characterization and crystal structures of homo- and hetero-substituents containing trans six-coordinate tin(IV) complexes of H2tmtaa (5,14-dihydro-6,8,15,17-tetramethyldibenzo[b,i][1,4,8,11]tetraazacyclotetradecine), and the solid state NMR spectra study of Sn

The reaction of Sn(tmtaa)Cl₂ (H₂tmtaa=5,14-dihydro-6,8,15,17-tetramethyldi-benzo[b,i][1,4,8,11]tetraazacyclotetradecine) and ammonium thiocyanate or sodium azide under a mild condition resulted in trans six-coordinate tmtaa tin(IV) complexes, Sn(tmtaa)X₂ (X=NCS, 1; X=N₃, 2). However, the treatment of Sn(tmtaa)Cl₂ and sodium picrate produced Sn(tmtaa)(Cl)(OC₆H₂ (2,4,6-3NO₂)) (3). Only one chloro atom of Sn(tmtaa)Cl₂ was substituted because of low nucleophilicity of the 2,4,6-trinitrophenolic anion in 3. Furthermore, because of the steric hindrance between the 2,4,6-trinitrophenolic group and the tmtaa ligand, which has a non-planar, saddle-shaped conformation, two chloro atoms cannot be substituted by two 2,4,6-trinitrophenolic groups simultaneously. All complexes were characterized by IR spectra, UV spectra, mass spectra, NMR spectra and elemental analyses, as well as DSC measurements. X-ray crystal structures of 1 and 3 reveal that the complexes retain the characteristic saddle-shaped configuration of H₂tmtaa but have adopted the trans geometry. Solid state ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopy was used to study the bonding environment in the series of six-coordinate trans Sn(IV) tmtaa complexes. It can be found that the ¹¹⁹Sn chemical shifts of the Sn(IV) tmtaa complexes are almost not influenced by the substituents.     

Synthesis and NMR characterization of the novel mixed-ligands Pt(II) complexes Pt(amine)(pyrimidine)X2 and trans,trans-X2(amine)Pt(μ-pyrimidine)Pt(amine)X2 (X = I and Cl)

Mixed-ligand complexes of the type Pt(amine)(pm)I₂, (pm = pyrimidine) were synthesized and characterized by IR spectroscopy and by multinuclear (¹⁹⁵Pt, ¹H and ¹³C) magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The cis compounds were prepared from the reaction of I(amine)Pt(μ-I)₂Pt(amine)I with pyrimidine (1:2 proportion) in water, while the trans isomers were synthesized from the isomerization of the cis complexes in acetone. The cis isomers could not be isolated with several amines, especially the more bulky ones. In ¹H NMR, the pyrimidine protons of the cis compounds were found at lower fields than those of the trans analogs and the J(¹⁹⁵Pt-¹H) coupling constants are slightly larger in the cis geometry. For n-butylamine, the reaction produced also I₂(n-butylamine)Pt(μ-pm)Pt(n-butylamine)I₂. No such dimer could be isolated with the other amines. The compounds Pt(amine)(pm)Cl₂ were also prepared (amine = methylamine and t-butylamine) from the ionic complex K[Pt(amine)Cl₃] using an excess of pyrimidine. The IR and NMR characterization showed that the methylamine compound was a cis-trans mixture, while only the trans isomer was isolated with t-butylamine. When the same reaction was performed using a Pt:pm ratio of 2:1, Cl₂(amine)Pt(μ-pm)Pt(amine)Cl₂ was isolated. The pyrimidine-bridged dimers were identified by IR and multinuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies as the trans-trans isomers. The trans monomers and dimers showed only one ν(Pt-Cl) band. The ¹⁹⁵Pt NMR signals of the dimers were found close to those of the monomer trans-Pt(amine)(pm)Cl₂.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of one-dimensional zinc(II) polymer constructed by salicylate and trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene

A new zinc(II) compound, [Zn₂(Hsal)₄(4,4′-bpe)₂] · [Zn(Hsal)₂(4,4′-bpe)(DMF)(H₂O)] · CH₃OH (1) (Hsal = salicylate and 4,4′-bpe = trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene) has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal structure consists of three independent moieties: [Zn₂(Hsal)₄(4,4′-bpe)₂], [Zn(Hsal)₂(4,4′-bpe)(DMF)(H₂O)], and non-coordinated CH₃OH molecule. In the compound two independent moieties which are connected by 4,4′-bpe to form 1-D chains, respectively, are further expended to accomplish 2-D network through hydrogen-bonding interactions between non-coordinated methanol and coordinated water molecule or carboxylate oxygen atoms of Hsal ligands.     

A two-dimensional copper(II) polymer with bridging μ-trans-oxamidate and μ2-picrate ligands: Synthesis, crystal structure and DNA binding studies

A two-dimensional copper(II) polymer with formula of [Cu₂(dmapox)(pic)₂]_n · nCH₃OH, where dmapox is the dianion of N,N′-bis[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]oxamide and pic is picrate, was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, conductivity measurement, IR and electronic spectra studies. The crystal structure of the complex has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. It crystallizes in monoclinic, space group P2₁/c with crystallographic data: a = 14.076(7) Å, b = 13.896(7) Å, c = 9.278(5) Å, β = 106.909(6)° and Z = 2. The structure consists of uncoordinated methanol molecules and two-dimensional copper(II) polymeric coordination network constructed by the bis-tridentate trans-dmapox and tridentate picrate ligands. The environment around the copper(II) atom can be described as a distorted octahedron and the Cu?Cu separations through μ-trans-oxamidate and μ₂-picrate bridges are 5.227 Å and 8.359 Å, respectively. The copper(II) complex presents as a polymer in solid state, whereas in solution it presents as discrete neutral binuclear copper(II) species [Cu₂(dmapox)(pic)₂] due to the weak interactions between the copper(II) atoms and the para-nitro oxygens of the adjacent picrate ligands. The fluorescence titration and the ethidium bromide (EB) fluorescence displacement experiments reveal that the binding mode between the binuclear copper(II) complex [Cu₂(dmapox)(pic)₂] and Herring Sperm DNA might be intercalation.     

Synthesis, structure and reactivity of complexes containing [M(S2)2] fragments (M=Ru, Os; (S2)=1,2-benzenedithiolate (2−))

Subsequent addition of 1,2-benzenedithiol (S₂-H₂) and nBuLi to a solution of [Ru(NO)Cl₃ · xMeOH] in THF afforded exclusively the monomeric species NBu₄[Ru^II(NO)(S₂)₂] (1). Formation of dimeric (NBu₄)₂[Ru^II(NO)(S₂)₂]₂ (2) has been confirmed when the deprotonated ligand S₂-Li₂ was added to [Ru(NO)Cl₃ · xMeOH] and allowed to stir for 30 h. The monomer 1 undergoes aerial oxidation to give (NBu₄)₂[Ru^IV(S₂)₃] (3). The reaction between RuCl₃ · xH₂O and S₂-H₂ in the presence of NaOMe, afforded the dinulear Ru^III species (NMe₄)₂[Ru^III(S₂)₂]₂ (4). A modified method for the preparation of 1 is being employed to synthesize the osmium analogue NBu₄[Os(NO)(S₂)₂] (5) effectively. The solid state structures of 1, 2 and 3 were determined by X-ray crystal structure analysis. A comparison of relevant bond distance data suggests that 1,2-benzenedithiolate acts as an “innocent” ligand.     

A kinetic study on pyridine exchange reactions at a bis(μ-acetato)(μ-oxo)diruthenium(III) center: effects of monodentate and bidentate N-heterocyclic ligands cis to the oxo bridge

A series of (μ-oxo)bis(μ-acetato)diruthenium(III) complexes containing two pyridine (py) ligands and varied N-heterocyclic ligands in the positions trans and cis to μ-O, respectively, have been prepared to study py/py-d₅ exchange reactions using ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The diruthenium(III) complexes under investigation are [Ru₂(μ-O)(μ-CH₃COO)₂(py)₆](PF₆)₂ (1), [Ru₂(μ-O)(μ-CH₃COO)₂(bpy)₂(py)₂](PF₆)₂ (2), [Ru₂(μ-O)(μ-CH₃COO)₂(acpy)₄(py)₂](FF₆)₂ (3), and [Ru₂(μ-O)(μ-CH₃COO)₂(dmbpy)₂(py)₂](PF₆)₂ (4), where bpy=2,2′-bipyridine, acpy=4-acetylpyridine, and dmbpy=4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine. Pseudo-first order rate constants for the ligand-exchange reactions are 10⁻⁶−10⁻⁵ s⁻¹ for 1-4 in CD₃CN at 298 K. It is found that the rate of the py/py-d₅ exchange reactions is controlled by the electronic nature of the cis-oriented ancillary ligands, while the exchange mechanisms are tuned principally by the ligand steric factors. The activation parameters (ΔH^‡ and ΔS^‡) indicate that exchange reactions proceed through the dissociative (D) or the interchange dissociative (I_d) mechanism for 1 and 3. Negative ΔS^‡ values observed for 2 and 4 suggest a significant contribution of incoming ligands to the exchange pathway. The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters for the diruthenium series and the corresponding data for Ru-based oxo bridged trinuclear complexes established previously are compared and discussed.     

Novel [Ru(polypyridine)(CO)2Cl2] and [Ru(polypyridine)2(CO)Cl]-type complexes: Characterizing the effects of introducing azopyridyl ligands by electrochemical, spectroscopic and crystallographic measurements

The reaction of ruthenium carbonyl polymer ([Ru(CO)₂Cl₂]_n) with azopyridyl compounds (2,2′-azobispyridine; apy or 2-phenylazopyridine; pap) generated new complexes, [Ru(azo)(CO)₂Cl₂] (azo = apy, pap). [Ru(apy)(CO)₂Cl₂] underwent photodecarbonylation to give a chloro-bridged dimer complex, whereas the corresponding pap complex ([Ru(pap)(CO)₂Cl₂]) was not converted to a dimer. The reactions of the chloro-bridged dimer containing the bpy ligand (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) with either apy or pap resulted in the formation of mixed polypyridyl complexes, [Ru(azo)(bpy)(CO)Cl]⁺. The novel complexes containing azo ligands were characterized by various spectroscopic measurements including the determination of X-ray crystallographic structures. Both [Ru(azo)(CO)₂Cl₂] complexes have two CO groups in a cis position to each other and two chlorides in a trans position. The azo groups are situated cis to the CO ligand in [Ru(azo)(bpy)(CO)Cl]⁺. All complexes have azo N-N bond lengths of 1.26-1.29 Å. The complexes exhibited azo-based two-electron reduction processes in electrochemical measurements. The effects of introducing azopyridyl ligands to the ruthenium carbonyl complexes were examined by ligand-based redox potentials, stretching frequencies and force constants of CO groups and bond parameters around Ru-CO moieties.     

6-Halogenopyridin-2-olato complexes with the diruthenium(2+) core: Equilibria between head-to-head and head-to-tail structures

The dinuclear bis(6-X-pyridin-2-olato) ruthenium complexes [Ru₂(μ-XpyO)₂(CO)₄(PPh₃)₂] (X = Cl (4B) and Br (5B)), [Ru₂(μ-XpyO)₂(CO)₄(CH₃CN)₂] (X = Cl (6B), Br (7B) and F (8B)) and [Ru₂(μ-ClpyO)₂(CO)₄(PhCN)₂] (9B) were prepared from the corresponding tetranuclear coordination dimers [Ru₂(μ-XpyO)₂(CO)₄]₂ (1: X = Cl; 2: X = Br) and [Ru₂(μ-FpyO)₂(CO)₆]₂ (3) by treatment with an excess of triphenylphosphane, acetonitrile and benzonitrile, respectively. In the solid state, complexes 4B-9B all have a head-to-tail arrangement of the two pyridonate ligands, as evidenced by X-ray crystal structure analyses of 4B, 6B and 9B, in contrast to the head-to-head arrangement in the precursors 1-3. A temperature- and solvent-dependent equilibrium between the yellow head-to-tail complexes and the red head-to-head complexes 4A-7A and 9A, bearing an axial ligand only at the O,O-substituted ruthenium atom, exists in solution and was studied by NMR spectroscopy. Full ¹H and ¹³C NMR assignments were made in each case. Treatment of 1 and 2 with the N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolin-2-ylidene provided the complexes [Ru₂(μ-XpyO)₂(CO)₄(NHC)], X = Cl (11A) or Br (12A). An XRD analysis revealed the head-to-head arrangement of the pyridonate ligands and axial coordination of the carbene ligand at the O,O-substituted ruthenium atom. The conversion of 11A and 12A into the corresponding head-to-tail complexes was not possible.